Folding partitions and operators therefor



Dec. 3, 1968 D. s. HARRIS 3,414,040

FOLDING PARTITIONS AND OPERATORS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 1966 5 Sheets-$heet l HH. i e

5' 63 20 FIG 44 :00 -20 3O M V INVENTOR. m 108 DONALD s. HARRIS Wfl 24 m kal ATTORN EYS Dec. 3, 1968 D. s. HARRIS FOLDING PARTITIONS AND OPERATORS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 5, 1966 Dec. 3, 1968 s, HARRls 3,414,040

FOLDING PARTITIONS AND OPERATORS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 5, 1966 FIG-1O 85 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 2220 30 2/ 23 22 23 32 22 28 zz o FIG'|2 United States Patent 3,414,040 FOLDING PARTITIONS AND OPERATORS THEREFOR Donald S. Harris, New Castle, Iud., assignor to New Castle Products, Inc., New Castle, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Aug. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 570,483 13 Claims. (Cl. 160-488) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A folding partition formed by a plurality of successively hinged panels supported by an overhead track, is operable by a flexible drive member extending along the track and connected to the lead panel and a drive. A mechanism also connects the drive to the opposite end panel and is operative to pivot the end panel after the panels are extended to move the panels into an aligned and longitudinal compressed relation.

Background of the invention This invention relates to folding partitions and the like, and more particularly, to improved apparatus for extending and folding a partition of the general type shown in copending application Ser. No. 495,988, filed Oct. 14, 1965, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

The apparatus of the present invention is ideally suited for use with a relatively large partition such as shown in the above application, which includes a series of vertical panels successively hinged together and supported from an overhead track for movement from a folded and stacked relationship adjacent one of two jamb surfaces to an extended relationship where the panels are aligned to form a wall. It is to be understood, however, that the term partition as used herein is intended to include any collapsible closure having successively connected folding members or panels supported from an overhead track.

It has been found desirable to provide an overall endwise compressive force on the aligned panels of such an extended partition to produce a partition which has substantial rigidity and also to compress the resilient edge seals commonly provided between the panels. Due to the thickness of the panels and the alternating hinge connec tion between the panels, however, the obtaining of a sufficient endwise compressive force presents a problem during the final closing or extending of large partitions, and also during the initial movement of such a partition to a folded position. That is, the movement of the last two panels which are adjacent the stacking jamb into and out of alignment with the other panels requires that the hinge connected corners of these two panels pass through the centerline of the extended partition. Thus, this overcenter action may require the application of a substantial force to these panels.

Summary of the invention The present invention is directed to an operator for a folding partition and is adapted to apply such a substantial force to the end or back panel at the final closing and initial opening or folding of the partition to move this panel into and out of alignment with the other panels. In general, this is accomplished by panel drive apparatus which is adapted to travel or move relative to the partition after the panels are generally aligned, and the movement of the drive apparatus is operatively connected to apply a torque to the trail panel adjacent the stacking jamb.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel apparatus for moving the panels of Patented Dec. 3, 1968 a folding partition from a folded stacked relationship to an extended aligned relationship.

More specific objects of the invention are to provide apparatus which not only extends and folds the partition but is also adapted to apply a substantial force to an end pivot or trail panel adjacent the stacking jamb, to move such end panel and the next adjacent panel into positive alignment with the other panels; to provide an economically constructed apparatus employing only a single motor to extend and fold the partition and to apply the force to the end pivot panel; to provide novel apparatus which provides an endwise force to the extended partition after the panels are aligned; to produce a partition having substantial rigidity and to actuate a floor sealing mechanism; and, to provide compact apparatus which includes actuating mechanism having a high mechanical advantage for applying a substantial force to pivot the end panel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding partition adapted to be operated by the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of operating apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and with a portion broken away to show the details of construction;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus as taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view as taken along the line 55 of FIG. 7, showing details of the connection of the drive to the lead post;

FIG. 6 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the apparatus for operating a folding partition in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the end or lead post portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the apparatus as taken generally taken along the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the apparatus as taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary plan views of the apparatus showing schematically the operation of the apparatus in reference to a folding partition; and

FIGS. 13-15 are schematic views showing the operation of apparatus constructed in accordance with a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, FIG. 1 shows a folding partition to which this invention is applicable including a pivot or trail panel 20, and a lead panel 21 connected by a series of intermediate panels 22. The vertical panels 20-22 are successively connected together by hinges 23 arranged alternately on opposite sides of the panels. An overhead track 24 (FIGS. 6 and 9) is received in a suitable head section 46 and supports the panels 21 and 22 through a series of trolleys similar in construction to the lead trolley 25 (FIG. 7) and connected to the lead panel and to alternate subsequent panels by suit-able pendant shafts. The panels 20-22 are movable from a stacked or folded relationship adjacent a jamb member 28 (FIG. 1) at one side of the Wall opening to an extended aligned relationship adjacent an opposite jamb member 30 in which the lead panel 21 abuts the jamb member 30 so that the panels cooperate to provide a flat wall, as shown in FIG. 1.

The lead trolley 25 and all subsequent panel trolleys have four wheels, with pairs of wheels received within the track 24 and mounted on a carriage 32. A lower portion of the carriage 32 depends downwardly between the longitudinal slot in the track 24. A transverse bottom plate 33 is secured to the bottom of plate 32 and a stop plate 34 is positioned along the front edge of the carriage 32. A pendant shaft extends upwardly from the top of the lead panel 21 and is rotatably supported on the bottom plate 33 of the trolley 25.

Referring to FIG. 9, the horizontal track 24 is mounted on a series of support plates 38 by bolts 39 and the plates 38 are, in turn, suspended between the jamb members 28 and by a series of hanging bolts 41 joined with a suitable I-beam or other support, not shown. Side brackets 44 extend downwardly from the plate 38 and are formed inwardly to support the soffet members 45. As shown in FIG. 1, the track 24, the trolleys, and the track supports, as well as the door operator of this invention, are all enclosed from normal view within the head section generally 24.

Spaced above the sotfet members 45 and concealed in the head section is a panel operator 50. The panel operator of this invention is mounted on an outer frame which is fixed in relation to the track, and has an inner frame which is arranged for limited longitudinal sliding movement with respect to the outer frame and with respect to the track 24.

Accordingly, the operator 50 includes an outer box-like frame 52 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 6) having a series of longitudinal members 54 connected by a series of lateral members 55 and upright members 57. As shown in FIGS. 2 and -3, the track 24 is secured to the outer frame 52 by brackets 59. Also, the outer frame 52 pivotally supports the upper end of the back or trail pivot panel 20 by a shaft 61 extending upwardly from the upper corner portion of the panel 20 and secured thereto by a bracket 63. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, the shaft 61 is received within a longitudinally extending slot 64 formed within a plate 65 mounted on the bottom frame members 54 and 55. Thus the shaft 61 and panel 20 are adapted to move longitudinally one to pivot relative to the outer frame 52 and to the track.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, an inner frame is supported for limited sliding movement within the outer frame 52, and includes an angle member 72 which carries a low friction guide 73 slidably supported on a rail 75 mounted on a longitudinally extending frame member 54. A channel member 77 extends laterally perpendicular to the member 72 and is connected to a longitudinally extending angle member 78 which is supported by a slide 80 engaging the top surface of a longitudinally extending angle member 82 welded to the adjacent frame mem ber 54.

The inner frame 70 further includes a horizontal plate 84 which is secured to the top surface of the channel member 77 and supports an electric motor 85. A belt drive 87 connects the motor to a gearbox 89 mounted by screws 90 on a vertical plate 91 secured to the angle member 78 of the inner frame 70. Referring to FIG. 2, the plate 91 of the inner frame 70 rotatably supports a pair of idler sprockets 94 which are spaced below a drive sprocket 96 connected to the output shaft 98 of the gear box 89 by a slip clutch (not shown). An arm 99 (FIG. 6) extends longitudinally rearwardly from the channel member 77 of the inner frame 70 and is ada ted to move horizontally with the motor 85 and a gearbox 89 as the inner frame 70 moves within the outer frame 52.

The operator 50 is connected to the lead panel by means of an elongated flexible drive member. This member may be a wire rope or a belt, but is preferably a flexible chain 100 (FIG. 2). The chain 100 is directed upwardly between the sprockets 94 around the drive sprocket 96 and further extends around an end sprocket 102 rotatably supported by the outer frame 52. The chain 100 extends from the outer frame 52 toward the remote jamb member 30 and around a sprocket 105 (FIGS. 7 and 8) rotatably supported by a bracket 106 secured to a clian nel 108 (FIG. 6). Thus the chain 100 forms a loop between the jamb members 28 and 30, and the ends of the chain are secured to a panel towing member 110 (FIG. 5) slidably supported within the channel 108. The channel 108 extends in the head section parallel to the track 24, and is supported from the plates 38 (FIG. 9) by a series of support brackets 112 spaced at intervals along the channel. As shown in FIG. 9, one course of the chain runs above the channel 108 while the other course runs in the channel.

A bar 114 (FIGS. 5 and 7) extend horizonally from the tow member 110 through a slot 115 formed within the channel 108 and engages the trolley 25 supporting the lead panel 21. The bar 114 provides the means for connecting the drive chain to the lead panel. As shown in FIG. 7, a stop plate 117 extends into the track 24 from the jamb member 30 and is proportioned to engage the plate 34 of the lead trolley 25 when the lead panel 21 is extended into engagement with the jamb member 30, thus forming a positive limit of movement with the end or bulb seal on the lead post firmly engaging the jamb 30.

The invention further includes linkage means for connecting the inner frame member to apply a sideways or rotational force to one of the panels, preferably the trail panel, upon the longitudinal movement of the inner frame. This occurs when the lead panel has almost come into contact with the opposite jamb post 30, and substantial resistance to the further extension of the panels occurs, resulting in the traveling movement of the motor and inner frame on its guideways. In this embodiment of the invention, this linkage means includes the mechanism 120 which is shown in FIGS. 6, 10, 11 and 12 in four different positions representing, respectively, the stacked condition of the panels (FIG. 6), the partially extended position of the panels (FIG. 10), the almost fully extended position of the panels in which the lead post is almost in contact with the jamb 30 (FIG. 11), and the fully extended coplanar position of the panels (FIG. 12) in which the trail panel 20 has been forcibly moved into coplanar relationship.

Referring to FIG. 6, the arm 99 extending from the inner frame 70 is connected to the shaft 61 suporting the pivot panel 20 by the mechanism 120. This mechanism includes a lever 121 rigidly secured to the upper end of the panel turning shaft 61, so that the lever 121 extends parallel to the pivot panel 20 (FIG. 10). In the views of FIGS. 6, 10, 11 and 12, the position of the lever 121 represents the position of the trail or pivot panel 20. A pin 122 conects the outer end of the lever 121 to one end of a link 124. The opposite end of the link 124 is pivotally connected by a pin 126 both to a lever 127 and a link 128 which is pivotally connected at its opposite end to the arm 99 by a pin 129. The opposite end of the lever 127 is pivotally supported by a pin 131 extending from a bracket 132 rigidly mounted on the frame 52.

In operation, when the panels 20-22 are folded in a stacked relationship adjacent the jamb member 28, the operating mechanism 50 is in the position shown in FIG. 6 with the lever 121 and the pivot panel 20 extending perpendicular to the track 24. Thus the resulting positions of the lever 127 and links 124 and 128 prevent longitudinal movement of the inner frame 70 within the outer frame 52.

When the motor 85 is energized in the direction for extending the panels, the chain 100 is driven so that the tow member 110v moves within the channel 108 and pulls the lead panel 21 toward the jamb member 30. As the lead panel 21 approaches the jamb member 30, the pivot panel 20 and associated lever 121 move through the position shown in FIG. 10 to the position of FIG. 11.

When the leading edge of the lead panel 21 engages the jamb member 30, most of the intermediate panels 22 are aligned with the lead panel 21, and the pivot panel 20 and the adjacent intermediate panel 22 are slightly pivotal or out of coplanar relation, as shown in FIG. 11. As a result of the engagement of the lead trolley 25 with the stop plate 117, the travel of the chain 100 stops. Since the motor 85 is still energized, however, the drive sprocket 96 continues to rotate causing the motor 85 and gearbox 89 to travel by walking along the chain 100, causing the inner frame 70 to move within the outer frame 52 until the inner frame engages a limit switch (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 11, longitudinal movement of the inner frame 70 actuates the mechanism 120 causing the lever 127 to pivot on the pin 131 and the link 124 to apply a substantial force to the end of the lever 121 as a result of the high mechanical advantage provided by the arrangement of the links 124 and 128 and levers 121 and 127. The force exerted on the end of the lever 121 produces a substantial torque on the shaft 61 causing the hinged connection of the pivot panel 20 and adjacent intermediate panel 22 to snap through the centerline of the extended panels. As the hinged connection passes overcenter the pivot panel 20 is free to move as a result of the slot 64 which receives the shaft 61. However, as the inner frame 70 continues to move relative to the stationary chain 100, the lever mechanism 120 moves into the position shown in FIG. 12 where the lever 127 pivots on the pin 131 to apply a substantial pulling force on the lever 121. This causes the shaft 61 to slide again within the slot 64 and thereby move the pivot panel 20 longitudinally to apply a substantial compressive force endwise against the aligned panels 20-22.

The operation just explained above reverses when the panels 20-22 are folded and returned to a stacked relationship. That is, when the direction of the motor 85 is reversed, the inner frame 70 first travels within the outer frame 52 thereby initially breaking the pivot panel 20 and adjacent intermediate panel 22 from their aligned relationship and the lever mechanism 120 progressively returns to the position shown in FIG. 6 as the panels are folded.

FIGS 13-15 show a modified embodiment of the apparatus of the invention. The basic distinction of this embodiment and that shown in FIGS. l-l2 is that the mechanism 120 is essentially replaced by a cam actuated system including a cam plate 135 which is rigidly secured for movement with the inner frame 70. A cam slot 137 is formed within the plate 135 and receives a pin-like follower 138 extending from one end of a link 140 pivotally connected at its opposite end to the lever 121 rigidly secured to the pivot panel 20. A track-like guide member 142 is rigidly secured to the outer frame 52 and receives the opposite end of the cam follower 138.

Thus when the panels 20-22 are aligned in an extended position, the cam follower 138 is located within the cam slot 137 as shown in FIG. 13. When the inner frame 70 begins to travel relative to the stationary chain 100 during initial folding of the panels, however, the follower 138 travels within the slot 137 of the cam plate 135 thus breaking the aligned relationship of the pivot panel 20 and adjacent panel 22 (FIG. 14). The panels 20-22 then continue to fold until they are arranged in a stacked relationship and the cam plate moves to a position rela tive to the guide 142 as shown in FIG. 15.

From the drawings and the above description, it can be seen that an operating mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention provides several desirable features and advantages. For example, the one electric motor 85 not only serves to move the partition from a folded position to an extended position, but also is effective to produce a substantial torque on the pivot panel 20- both at the final extending of the panels and initially at the folding of the panels.

By providing for movement of the inner motor support frame 70 relative to the outer frame 52, the motor and gear reduction unit 89 are free to travel along the chain 100 after the lead panel 21 engages the jamb member 30. This movement is then employed to actuate the lever mechanism 120 for applying a substantial torque to the shaft 61 rigidly connected to the pivot panel 20 and thereby pull the hinge connection of the pivot panel and the adjacent intermediate panel 22 through the centerline of the partition and into alignment with the other panels. As shown in FIG. 12, further movement of the motor and gearbox inner support frame 70 applies an endwise compressive force against the aligned panels and as a result, locks the panels into a substantially rigid extended partition. The final movement of the pivot panel 20 is also effective to actuate the fioor seals carried within the panels as shown in the application Ser. No. 495,988.

Another important feature is provided by the arrangement of the lever mechanism (FIG. 6) or the cam system shown in FIGS. 13-15. That is, this arrangement produces a high mechanical advantage which is effective to prevent travel of the motor and gearbox support frame 70 when the panels are in a folded position but enable the inner frame 70 to travel after the panels are extended for applying a substantial torque to the pivot panel 20. Thus the operating mechanism of the invention not only provides economic construction in that it requires only one motor but also produces a substantially rigid partition after the panels are extended. Furthermore, the operating mechanism of the invention is compact in construction and can be conveniently installed in the head section above the pivot panel 20 so that none of the mechanism can be seen from either side of the partition.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Improved apparatus for operating a folding partition formed by a plurality of panels successively hinged together and supported from an overhead track for movement from a folded stacked relationship adjacent one of two jambs to an aligned relationship extending between the jambs, the end said panel adjacent the stacking said jamb being pivotally supported, said apparatus com-prising a flexible drive member adapted to be supported above the partition in the form of a loop extending between the jambs, first means for connecting the lead said panel to said drive member, drive means connected to said drive member for pulling said lead panel back and forth between the jambs to extend and fold said panels, means separate from said first connecting means for connecting said drive means to said end panel, and the latter said connecting means being operable for pivoting said end panel after the panels are extended and said lead panel substantially engages the corresponding jamb to produce rigid alignment between said panels, and for initially pivoting said end panel to break said alignment when said panels are moved from an extended relationship towards a stacked relationship.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means supporting said drive means for limited movement with respect to said drive member, and means connecting said supporting means to said end panel so that after said drive means and drive member pull the lead said panel into adjacent relationship with the corresponding jamb, said drive means travels along said drive member to pivot the end said panel into rigid alignment with the other said panels.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said drive means includes a motor and speed reducing unit, and said connecting means includes means for resisting movement of said supporting means for said motor and said speed reducing unit until said end panel approaches alignment with the other said panels and for providing substantial mechanical advantage for pivoting said end panel after said panel approaches alignment to cause said end panel to move into coplanar alignment with the other said panels.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3- wherein said connecting means includes means for producing endwise compression of said panels after said panels are extended into aligned relationship for effectively locking said panels in said aligned relationship and thereby produce a rigid partition.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said supporting means for said motor and said speed reducing unit includes an outer frame, an inner frame movably supported within said outer frame, a shaft extending upwardly from said end panel, and said connecting means includes a lever mechanism connecting said inner frame to said shaft applying a torque to said shaft to pivot said end panel into and out of alignment with the other said panels.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said lever mechanism includes a second lever pivotally connnected to said outer frame, a first link member pivotally connecting said second lever to said lever mounted on said shaft, a second link member connecting said second lever and said first link member to said inner frame, and said lever and said link members being arranged to resist movement of said inner frame when said panels are in said stacked relationship and to produce a substantial torque on said shaft when said end panel approaches said aligned relationship for compressing said panels and for moving said end panel into said aligned relationship.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said connecting means includes a cam member connected to said supporting means for movement therewith and having a cam surface thereon, a shaft rigidly connected to said end panel and projecting upwardly therefrom, a lever rigidly mounted on said shaft, follower means for said cam surface, and a link connecting said lever to said follower means so that after said end panel approaches said aligned relationship, movement of said cam member produces a substantial torque on said end panel to move said panel into and out of said aligned relationship.

8. An operator for a partition made up of a plurality of individual panels which are hinged adjacent alternate vertical edges and movable on a track between a folded position adjacent a first jamb post to an extended coplanar position in which a lead panel thereof is adjacent an opposite jamb post, comprising a flexible elongated drive member having a connection to said lead panel and operable upon longitudinal movement thereof to apply extending and retracting forces to said panels, a drive motor for said flexible member having a driving portion operatively connected to effect said longitudinal movement thereof, means mounting said drive motor for limited longitudinal movement with respect to said flexible member upon the increase in resistance to movement of said flexible memher when said lead panel contacts said opposite jamb post and some but not all of said panels are in a substantially coplanar position with at least one of said panels out of said coplanar position, and linkage means connecting said motor mounting means to said one panel to apply a tuming force thereto with said limited movement of said motor mounting means in a direction to move said one panel into coplanar relationship with the remaining said panels.

9. The operator of claim 8 in which said drive motor mounting means is connected to affect rotation of the panel adjacent said first jamb post.

10. The operator of claim 8 in which said flexible elongated drive member is a continuous drive chain, and said drive portion of said motor is a sprocket operatively engaging said chain.

11. The partition operator of claim 8 in which said linkage means has a portion connected for movement with said one panel and is arranged to resist said longitudinal movement of said drive motor until said one panel is substantially aligned with the remaining said panels.

12. A folding partition comprising a lead panel, a plurality of intermediate panels, and a trail panel, means hinging said panels together in a series at alternate vertical edges thereof, an overhead track, means mounting said trail panel for pivotal movement with respect to said track, means mounting said lead panel and at least alternate subsequent said panels for longitudinal and pivotal movement on said track providing for movement of said partition between a folded position with said trail panel adjacent a first jamb post on one side of a prepared Wall opening to an extended position in which said panels are in generally coplanar relationship and in which the leading vertical edge of said lead panel is in abutment with an opposite jamb post, a flexible elongated drive member for said panels formed in a substantially continuous loop extending substantially the length of said track and positioned in association with said track, means on said drive member forming a driving connection to said lead post and being operable upon longitudinal movement of said flexible drive member to apply extending and retracting forces to said panels through said lead post, drive means for said flexible member adjacent an opposite end of said track and having means drivin-gly engaging said flexible member, means mounting said drive means for limited relative longitudinal movement along said flexible drive member upon the substantial extension of said panels and increase in resistance to movement of said flexible drive member, and mechanical linkage means connected to said drive means and to said trail panel and adapted to apply a turning torque to said trail panel with said longitudinal movement of said drive means in a direction rotating said trail panel into generally coplanar relation with the remaining said panels subsequent to said lead panel engaging said opposite jamb post.

13. The partition of claim 12 in which said linkage means is further eifective to apply a compressional endwise force to said trail panel to effect a rigid end-to-end alignment of said partition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS PETER M. CAUN, Primary Examiner. 

